Chapter 228 - 225: Li Xiu’s Intention

Chapter 228: Chapter 225: Li Xiu’s Intention

Smiling, Zhou Lian greeted a few people and went to wash up. Li Xiu headed to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. It was already past two in the afternoon, and neither of them had eaten breakfast or lunch. Afraid that Zhou Lian was starving, Li Xiu decided to make her something simple, nutritious, and delicious.

"Is he always like this?" Third Aunt Li asked softly.

In response to Third Aunt Li’s seemingly random question, Sister Fang just smiled. "He’s always like this. Li Xiu adores Zhou Lian, and Zhou Lian cares for him deeply in return. They have a wonderful relationship. They’ve never once fought or been at odds with each other."

’For Li Xiu, it’s more than just doting on Zhou Lian. He’d probably give his life for her. In all her decades, she’d never seen a man cherish his wife to this degree. But Sister Fang was unwilling to say more about the young couple’s relationship. No matter how deep their bond, it was their own private affair. Everyone else should just watch from the sidelines and be happy for them.’

Third Aunt Li nodded, saying nothing more. ’Her son, Li Bao, and daughter-in-law, Wang Xiaojuan, had once told her that their Eldest Brother doted on his wife as if his life depended on it. On any matter that didn’t involve her, he was perfectly reasonable. But the moment she was even slightly involved, he became like King Yan incarnate, refusing to let the matter rest until every detail was brought to light.’

Grandma Li glanced at Sister Fang, then at her two daughters-in-law, and said softly, "Go home and keep a tight rein on the children. Make sure they all test into universities in the Capital City. Their eldest brother and his wife are there. For any of them who can make it to the Capital City, their future will be in their hands. Li Xiu is a man who values loyalty and family ties. He’s fond of all his younger cousins."

First Aunt Li and Third Aunt Li both shivered involuntarily. ’Their eldest nephew is cunning to an almost demonic degree. Now that Second Brother Li is gone and their mother-in-law is getting on in years, what if she passes away too? They’re afraid their nephew’s connection to the family back home will fade. If their children can get into the Capital City, everything will be fine. Otherwise...’

From that day on, the children from the first and third branches of the Li family found their mothers had transformed into tiger moms. They were hounded daily with wooden rods and warnings of dire consequences should they fail to get into a university in the Capital City. This drove the kids to study with the desperation of ancient scholars, not letting up until every single one of them had been accepted. They suspected their Eldest Brother had put their mothers up to it, but then they remembered he was always direct when he wanted to discipline them, so they dismissed the thought. This incident would go down as one of the great mysteries of the Lao family.

Li Xiu, busy in the room coaxing his wife to eat, had no idea he had just unknowingly thrown his younger cousins under the bus again. Even if he had known, he would have applauded the outcome. ’If those kids become successful, my own precious son and daughter will have more support in the future. After all, blood makes for a natural alliance.’

After their meal, Li Xiu led Zhou Lian by the hand to the grape trellis in the courtyard. He smiled at the small group playing with Yanyan. "Grandma, First Aunt Li, Third Aunt Li," he said softly, "you must all be exhausted from the past few days. Why aren’t you resting at home?"

"Hah! If anyone’s tired, it should be you two. What do we have to be tired about? Everything’s more or less settled now. When are you two planning to head back to the Capital City?" Third Aunt Li asked, always direct.

"Third Aunt Li, let’s leave after the third-day grave-rounding ceremony. Since we’re here, we might as well see things through to the end," Zhou Lian replied with a smile.

Glancing at Li Xiu, then back at Zhou Lian, Third Aunt Li swallowed the words she was about to say. "All right," she said softly. "You’re already here, so it’s best to see it through completely."

Grandma Li glanced at her third daughter-in-law, pursed her lips, and said, "Then it’s settled. You two go back and get some proper rest. There’s a banquet at the old residence of the second branch tonight. You two should go early and oversee things so we don’t become a laughingstock. Li Xiu and I will go together this evening. Also, have the eldest and third sons bring Li Bao and his brother, as well as Li Bo. They’re old enough now. It’s time they started to understand the Lao family’s business."

First Aunt Li and Third Aunt Li nodded and took their leave. Watching them go, Grandma Li said softly to Li Xiu, "They have their selfish side, but they do care for you."

Li Xiu saw Grandma Li’s worried expression and smiled. "Grandma, it’s normal for First Aunt Li and Third Aunt Li to be a little selfish. Even the ten fingers on your hands aren’t all the same length. I understand. I’ll stick to my word: I’ll look after my cousins from the first and third branches. First Aunt Li and Third Aunt Li cared for me when I was little, and they still worry about me now. To be frank, back then, they were the ones who showed me that someone cared about me. It might not have been as much as they cared for Li Bao, Li Guo, and Li Bo, but for me, it was more than enough."

"You once taught me, Grandma, that relationships are a two-way street. My master also taught me that a man must stand tall and act with a clear conscience. How could I forget the kindness the first and third branches have shown me? You yourself have said that I value loyalty and family ties. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Li Bao is doing great now, and he’ll settle down in the Capital City. When the younger ones arrive there, all the siblings can look out for each other. Everything will be all right, Grandma. Everything will be all right."

"Good, good, good," Grandma Li repeated, clearly relieved. She then turned to Zhou Lian, who was sitting quietly nearby. "Granddaughter-in-law," she said gently, "tonight, Li Xiu and I will go to the second branch’s home to sort out this tangled mess once and for all. You should stay here. There’s no need for you to get worked up over it."

Zhou Lian nodded obediently. ’She knew what this was about and couldn’t be bothered to get involved. In the second branch of the family, besides Li Xiu and his deceased father, there wasn’t a single decent person among them. Just looking at them was irritating. Besides, she remembered from her past life... while the terrible state of her relationship with Li Xiu back then was mostly his fault, without that mother-daughter duo’s deliberate instigation, without that fuse being lit, things might not have escalated so badly. Arguing about who was right or wrong was pointless now, but she still had no desire to ever see their faces again.’

That evening, Zhou Lian and Sister Fang had dinner with Yanyan and gave the child a bath. Then, she sent Sister Fang off to put Yanyan to bed. After taking a bath herself, she lay down early. A faint, ironic smile touched her lips as she thought about the events of the last few days, and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

Li Xiu scanned the people at the table. Aside from the funeral coordinator, everyone was from the three branches of the Li family. He caught sight of his mother’s sour expression and raised his voice slightly. "Before we start drinking, let’s settle the accounts. That way, we avoid any muddled figures once the alcohol starts flowing. Grandma, First Uncle, Third Uncle, does that sound good to you?"

"Good," Grandma Li interjected immediately. "Let’s do as Li Xiu says. It won’t be too late to drink once the accounts are settled."

The funeral coordinator glanced at the assembled family, then lowered his head to hide a smirk. He cleared his throat. "The ledgers for the past few days are all here," he announced. "One book is for the monetary gifts from relatives and friends. Another is for the expenses of the proceedings. This last one is for the banquets, including the costs for cigarettes, alcohol, candy, and tea. Please, all of you, take a look. If there are no issues, we can begin the accounting."